Image sensor system

ABSTRACT

An optical sensor system may include a light source. The optical sensor system may include a concentrator component proximate to the light source and configured to concentrate light from the light source with respect to a measurement target. The optical sensor system may include a collection component that includes an array of at least two components configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measurement target. The optical sensor system may include may a sensor. The optical sensor system may include a filter provided between the collection component and the sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/949,157, filed Oct. 15, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,536,650),which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/923,254, filed on Oct. 18, 2019, and entitled “IMAGE SENSOR SYSTEM.”The disclosures of the prior applications are considered part of and areincorporated by reference into this patent application.

BACKGROUND

A sensor device may be utilized to capture information for spectrometryanalysis. For example, the sensor device may capture informationrelating to a set of electromagnetic frequencies. The sensor device mayinclude a set of sensor elements (e.g., optical sensors, spectralsensors, and/or image sensors) that capture the information. Some sensordevices may be installed in consumer electronics, where size can be aconstraining factor.

SUMMARY

According to some implementations, an optical sensor system may include:a light source; a concentrator component proximate to the light sourceand configured to concentrate light from the light source with respectto a measurement target, wherein the collection component includes anarray of at least two components; a collection component configured toreceive light reflected or transmitted from the measurement target; asensor; and a filter provided between the collection component and thesensor.

According to some implementations, a device may include a light source;a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) proximate to the light sourceand configured to concentrate light from the light source with respectto a measurement target; and a collection component including an arrayof at least two components configured to receive light reflected ortransmitted from the measurement target, wherein the light is emittedvia the CPC; an optical sensor; and a filter provided between thecollection component and the optical sensor.

According to some implementations, a user device may include an opticalsensor system, comprising a light source; a compound parabolicconcentrator (CPC) proximate to the light source and configured toconcentrate light from the light source with respect to a measurementtarget; and a collection component including an array of at least twocomponents configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from themeasurement target, wherein the light is emitted via the CPC; a sensor;and a filter provided between the collection component and the sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an optical sensor systemincorporating a collection component that comprises an array of compoundparabolic concentrators.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another example of an optical sensorsystem incorporating a collection component that comprises an array ofcompound parabolic concentrators.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an optical sensor systemincorporating a collection component that comprises an array ofmicro-tapers.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user device thatincludes an optical sensor system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of example implementations refers tothe accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in differentdrawings may identify the same or similar elements. In some cases, thefollowing description uses a spectrometer as an example. However, theoptical sensor system described herein may be used with any opticalsensor, including but not limited to other optical sensors and spectralsensors.

An optical sensor may generate a signal based on light received by theoptical sensor. In some cases, the light received by the optical sensormay be filtered. For example, the filtration of the light may enable themeasurement of different wavelengths of light by the optical sensor,such as in different regions of the optical sensor. One example of sucha multispectral sensor is the binary multispectral sensor.

The performance of an optical filter, such as a coated interferencefilter and/or the like, may be influenced by light ray angles or opticalcone angles of light flux as the light passes through a filter elementof the optical filter. The optical filter may operate optimally forpurely collimated light that is orthogonal to the optical filter.However, collimated or slow focal angle (e.g., small aperture)conditions may be difficult to achieve for optical sensing applicationsinvolving a small spacing between the sensor and a measurement target(e.g., an object for which a measurement is to be determined based onlight reflected or transmitted from the object). For example, somehealth-related sensing and reflectance applications may involve suchspacings. In such a case, a collection component that collects the lightfor measurement may be a limiting factor in the spacing between thesensor and the measurement target. For example, the depth of thecollection component may dictate the minimum spacing between the sensorand the measurement target.

Some implementations described herein provide an optical sensor systemthat transforms light to a collimated condition or a lower-anglecondition than when the light was received, which may be beneficial forsmall optical sensor systems or optical systems where the sensor is tobe located near a measurement target. For example, some implementationsdescribed herein provide a collection component for an optical sensorsystem that collects light reflected from a diffuse reflective mediumand collimates or reduces the focal angle of the light. The collectioncomponent may use, for example, an array of compound parabolicconcentrators (CPCs), an array of micro-tapers, an array of light pipes,and/or the like. The use of an array of CPCs, micro-tapers, light pipes,and/or the like reduces the size of the collection component relative tousing a single monolithic CPC, micro-taper, or light pipe, and improvescollimation properties of the collector component. Some implementationsdescribed herein also provide configurations and components for a lightsource, a concentrator component, a sensor, and a filter of the opticalsensor system. Thus, a size of the optical sensor system is reduced byusing an array-based collector component, thereby reducing a minimumspacing between the measurement target and the filter relative to usinga monolithic collector component.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first optical sensorsystem 100 incorporating a collection component that comprises an arrayof compound parabolic concentrators. As shown, optical sensor system 100includes a light source 110, a concentrator component 120, a collectioncomponent 130, a filter 140, and a sensor 150. A measurement target isshown by reference number 160. Furthermore, a barrier 170 may beprovided between light source 110 and sensor 150, which reducesinterference from light that is not reflected from the measurementtarget to sensor 150 via filter 140 and collection component 130.

Light source 110 includes a device capable of generating light. Forexample, light source 110 may include a light emitting diode (LED), suchas a phosphor LED. The phosphor LED may provide light in a wavelengthrange of 400 nm to 1000 nm, which may enable sensing based on light inthe near-infrared (NIR) range, and which may be useful for asilicon-based responsivity profile. In some implementations, lightsource 110 may include a plurality of LEDs. In such a case, a first LED,of the plurality of LEDs, may be associated with a different spectralrange than a second LED of the plurality of LEDs. This may enable theaddressing of narrow spectral ranges using a plurality of LEDs, ratherthan addressing a wide spectral range using a single LED.

In some implementations, light source 110 may include a modulated LED.For example, light source 110 may include a single modulated LED or aplurality of modulated LEDs. When light source 110 includes one or moremodulated LEDs, the first optical sensor system 100 or a deviceassociated with the first optical sensor system 100 may modulate a powersupply of light source 110. Using a modulated LED may enable driving theLED to a higher power than a continuous-wave LED. Furthermore,modulation may improve signal to noise properties of sensing performedusing light from the modulated LED.

Concentrator component 120 may include, for example, a concentrator,such as a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) and/or the like.Concentrator component 120 may direct light emitted by light source 110toward measurement target 160. Concentrator component 120 may beproximate to light source 110 (e.g., attached to light source 110,closer to light source 110 than collection component 130 is, configuredto receive light from light source 110, and/or the like). In someimplementations, concentrator component 120 may redirect or concentratelight flux from light source 110 toward measurement target 160. In someimplementations, concentrator component 120 may include a solid CPC withan external coating. In some implementations, concentrator component 120may include a hollow CPC with an internal coating (e.g., a metalcoating, a dielectric coating, and/or the like). In someimplementations, concentrator component 120 may have a rectangularconical geometry. In some implementations, concentrator component 120may have a different geometry than rectangular conical (e.g.,cylindrical, conical, rectangular, and/or the like).

Collection component 130 includes a device that directs light reflectedfrom measurement target 160 to filter 140. For example, collectioncomponent 130 may be configured to receive light reflected ortransmitted from the measurement target 160. In some implementations,collection component 130 may include an array of components, such as anarray of CPCs (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ), an array of micro-tapers (asshown in FIG. 3 ), an array of optical light pipes (not shown in FIGS.1-3 ), and/or the like. Using an array of components may reduce theminimum gap 180 between filter 140 and measurement target 160 incomparison to using a monolithic collection component 130, such as asingle CPC, a single micro-taper, and/or the like. Thus, the size of thefirst optical sensor system 100 is reduced, thereby enabling deploymentin user devices or any device having size constraints.

In some implementations, collection component 130 may include an arrayof light pipes. For example, collection component 130 may include aplurality of collimated holes, capillary optics, and/or the like. Inthis case, collection component 130 may absorb or remove high anglelight rays before the high angle light rays reach filter 140. A lightpipe-based collection component 130 may be less costly and easier tofabricate than CPC-based or micro-taper-based collection components 130.

In some implementations, collection component 130 may include atwo-dimensional array of CPCs, referred to as a CPC array. For example,collection component may include an N×N array of CPCs, where N is aninteger. A larger value of N may reduce the minimum gap 180, whereas asmaller value of N may be simpler to construct or fabricate. In thefirst optical sensor system 100, N is equal to 2. A smaller aperture ofthe CPCs may face measurement target 160, and a larger aperture of theCPCs may face filter 140. Light may enter each CPC and reflect amonginternal walls of the CPC. This reflection of the light along a changingcurved surface may convert higher angle rays to lower angle rays thatare more optimally processed by filter 140. In some implementations, theN×N array of CPCs may reduce a focal length of light rays incident onfilter 140 to approximately f/3.3 or slower.

In some implementations, collection component 130 may include an arrayof micro-tapers. The array of micro-tapers is described in more detailin connection with FIG. 3 .

Filter 140 includes a spectral filter, a multispectral filter, abandpass filter, a blocking filter, a long-wave pass filter, ashort-wave pass filter, a dichroic filter, a linear variable filter(LVF), a circular variable filter (CVF), a Fabry-Perot filter, a Bayerfilter, and/or the like. Filter 140 may pass one or more wavelengths oflight for sensing by sensor 150. In some implementations, filter 140 mayinclude multiple, different filters that are configured to passrespective spectral ranges to sensor 150. For example, filter 140 mayinclude a binary filter, such as a binary multispectral filter.

Sensor 150 includes a device capable of performing a measurement oflight directed toward sensor 150 (e.g., via filter 140 and/or collectioncomponent 130), such as an optical sensor, a spectral sensor, an imagesensor, and/or the like. Sensor 150 may utilize one or more sensortechnologies, such as a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)technology, a charge-coupled device (CCD) technology, and/or the like.In some implementations, sensor 150 may include multiple sensor elements(e.g., an array of sensor elements—referred to as a sensor array) eachconfigured to obtain information. For example, a sensor element mayprovide an indication of intensity of light that is incident on thesensor element (e.g., active/inactive or a more granular indication ofintensity).

In some implementations, optical sensor system 100 may have a thickness190. In some implementations, thickness 190 may be measured between atip of collection component 130 or concentrator component 120 (e.g., anend of collection component 130 or concentrator component 120 distalfrom light source 110 or filter 140) and a substrate 195 (e.g., asurface of substrate 195 adjacent to sensor 150 or light source 110, ora surface of substrate 195 opposite of sensor 150 or light source 110).In some implementations, thickness 190 may be less than 3 millimeters.For example, in a near-infrared sensing application, a health parametersensing application, or the like, thickness 190 may be less than 3millimeters. The usage of a collection component 130 that includes anarray of components (e.g., CPCs, optical tapers, light pipes, or thelike) may enable a smaller thickness 190 than a collection componentthat utilizes a single monolithic component, as described elsewhereherein. In some implementations, thickness 190 may be greater than orequal to 3 millimeters (e.g., depending on the application). In someimplementations, thickness 190 may be smaller than a thickness of anoptical sensor system including a collection component that utilizes asingle monolithic component.

As indicated above, FIG. 1 is provided as an example. Other examples maydiffer from what is described with regard to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another example 200 of the firstoptical sensor system 100 incorporating a collection component thatcomprises an array of compound parabolic concentrators. Example 200shows an isometric view of the first optical sensor system 100. As shownby reference number 210, the collection component 130 comprises a 2×2array of CPCs in the first optical sensor system 100.

As indicated above, FIG. 2 is provided as an example. Other examples maydiffer from what is described with regard to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second optical sensorsystem 300 incorporating a collection component that comprises an arrayof micro-tapers. The light source 110, concentrator component 120,filter 140, and sensor 150 are described in more detail in connectionwith FIGS. 1 and 2 .

As shown by reference number 310, in some implementations, collectioncomponent 130 may comprise a plurality of optical tapers (e.g.,micro-tapers, tapered optical fibers, and/or the like). An optical taperis a waveguide with an entrance aperture having a smaller dimension thanan exit aperture. In some implementations, a relationship between thedimensions of the entrance aperture and the exit aperture may be linear.For example, a line connecting the entrance aperture and the exitaperture (e.g., forming a boundary of the optical taper) may be linear.In some implementations, collection component 130 may comprise an M×Narray of components (e.g., optical tapers, CPCs, light pipes, collimatedholes), where M and N are integers greater than zero, and where at leastone of M or N is greater than one. A larger value of M or N (e.g., morecomponents) may reduce the minimum gap between filter 140 andmeasurement target 160 and thus the thickness 190, whereas a smallervalue of M or N (e.g., fewer components) may be simpler to construct orfabricate. In some implementations, the plurality of optical tapers maybe fabricated using an injection molding process, a coating process(e.g., an electro-forming process, gold electroplating, and/or thelike), and/or the like. Thus, the plurality of optical tapers may have acoating, such as gold coating, and may form a gold coated optical taperarray. The usage of optical tapers for collection component 130 mayprovide more uniform light to filter 140 than other forms of collectioncomponent 130, and may simplify mass production.

As shown by reference number 320, in some implementations, collectioncomponent 130 may be spaced from filter 140. For example, if collectioncomponent 130 is affixed directly to filter 140, then some regions offilter 140 and sensor 150, such as the ones shown by reference number330, may not receive light. By spacing collection component 130 fromfilter 140, the regions of filter 140 that do not receive light may bereduced in size or eliminated, thereby increasing the number of pixelsof sensor 150 that can be used for sensing.

As indicated above, FIG. 3 is provided as an example. Other examples maydiffer from what is described with regard to FIG. 3 .

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example 400 of a user device 410that may include an optical sensor system 100/300. User device 410 mayinclude, for example, a communication and/or computing device, such as amobile phone (e.g., a smart phone, a radiotelephone, etc.), a laptopcomputer, a tablet computer, a handheld computer, a desktop computer, agaming device, a wearable communication device (e.g., a smartwristwatch, a pair of smart eyeglasses, etc.), a spectrometer, or asimilar type of device. By reducing the size of optical sensor system100/300, optical sensor system 100/300 may be implemented in smalleruser devices 410, or may have a smaller footprint in a user device 410,than an optical sensor system 100/300 associated with a monolithiccollection component.

As indicated above, FIG. 4 is provided as an example. Other examples maydiffer from what is described with regard to FIG. 4 .

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to theprecise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made inlight of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of theimplementations.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. In fact,many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recitedin the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although eachdependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, thedisclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim incombination with every other claim in the claim set.

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed ascritical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or moreitems, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, asused herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more itemsreferenced in connection with the article “the” and may be usedinterchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, theterm “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., relateditems, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items,etc.), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where onlyone item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used.Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like areintended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” isintended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly statedotherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to beinclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with“and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used incombination with “either” or “only one of”).

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical sensor system, comprising: a lightsource; a concentrator component configured to direct light from thelight source toward a measurement target; a collection componentconfigured to receive light reflected or transmitted from themeasurement target, wherein the concentrator component is closer to thelight source than the collection component; and a sensor.
 2. The opticalsensor system of claim 1, further comprising: a filter between thecollection component and the sensor.
 3. The optical sensor system ofclaim 1, wherein the concentrator component is attached to the lightsource.
 4. The optical sensor system of claim 1, wherein the collectioncomponent includes an array of compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs).5. The optical sensor system of claim 1, wherein the collectioncomponent includes one or more of: an array of optical tapers, or anarray of light pipes.
 6. The optical sensor system of claim 1, whereinthe concentrator component includes a compound parabolic concentrator(CPC).
 7. The optical sensor system of claim 6, wherein the CPC is asolid CPC with an external coating.
 8. The optical sensor system ofclaim 6, wherein the CPC is a hollow CPC with an internal coating, andwherein the internal coating comprises one or more of a metal coating ora dielectric coating.
 9. The optical sensor system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a barrier between the light source and the sensor.
 10. Theoptical sensor system of claim 1, further comprising: a barrier betweenthe concentrator component and the collection component.
 11. The opticalsensor system of claim 1, further comprising: a substrate, wherein thelight source is between the substrate and the concentrator component,and wherein the sensor is between the substrate and the collectioncomponent.
 12. A system, comprising: a light source; a concentratorcomponent; and a collection component that includes an array of compoundparabolic concentrators (CPCs), wherein the concentrator component iscloser to the light source than the array of CPCs.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the array of CPCs is a two-dimensional array of CPCs.14. The system of claim 12, wherein the concentrator component isconfigured to direct light from the light source toward a measurementtarget.
 15. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a barrierbetween the concentrator component and the collection component.
 16. Auser device, comprising: an optical sensor system, comprising: a lightsource; a concentrator component configured to direct light from thelight source toward a measurement target; and a collection componentconfigured to receive light reflected or transmitted from themeasurement target, wherein the concentrator component is closer to thelight source than the collection component.
 17. The user device of claim16, wherein the concentrator component is attached to the light source.18. The user device of claim 16, wherein the collection componentincludes a two-dimensional array of compound parabolic concentrators(CPCs).
 19. The user device of claim 16, wherein the optical sensorsystem further comprises: a barrier between the concentrator componentand the collection component.
 20. The user device of claim 16, whereinthe optical sensor system further comprises: a sensor; and a filterbetween the sensor and the collection component.